Morrisons outgrew its big four rivals during May as warm weather, the royal wedding and the FA Cup final boosted overall grocery sales.

The Bradford-based supermarket chain posted a 2.9% uplift in revenues during the 12 weeks to May 20 – its 19th consecutive period of growth – marginally beating Asda’s 2.8% increase, according to Kantar Worldpanel.

Tesco’s sales increased 2.2% during the same period, while Sainsbury’s lagged its mainstream rivals with a 1% uptick.

Overall grocery sales grew 2.7% year-on-year.

Kantar said the wedding and football festivities and warm weather “encouraged shoppers to fire up the barbecue” as sales of burgers and sausages rose 39% and 12% respectively, while revenues raked in from sun care products jumped 64%.

Kantar added that the £415m went through the grocers’ tills on the Friday before the royal wedding alone.

Discount duo Aldi and Lidl continued to outgrow the market, registering 6.7% and 10.4% sales increases respectively.

However, online grocer Ocado beat both retailers to the grocery crown in May, as sales spiked 12.7% compared to the same period last year.

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